Sfout diverter with fixed and flexible shower heads



May 11, 1965 J. E. GREUTER SPOUT DIVERTER WITH FIXED AND FLEXIBLE SHOWER HEADS- Filed April 10. 1965 O I o H limpin -El? mllmnii A lllllmilaflw In III'JH'I' '-""i" Juliefte E. Greufer B 9 g 0W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,182,336 TUB SEUUT DIVERTER WETH FIXED AND FLEXERLE SHGWER HEADS Juliette E. Greuter, Scarswoltl, Garth Road, carsdale, N.Y. Filed Apr. 10, 1963, Ser. No. 271,21 4 Claims. (Cl. 4-448) This invention relates to a combination shower, and has as its primary object the provision, in combination with a bath tub and overhead shower, of a main filling spout for the tub having a primary water discharge opening and a secondary water discharge opening to which a flexible tube having a spray head is connected, and a single control means for directing water from a common supply line selectively to said overhead shower, said tub, or said spray shower.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision in such a combination of a spout extending over the tub, and a common valve means wholly contained within the spout for directing the flow of water in any of the three aforementioned directions.

A further object resides in the provision of a device of this character which may be installed in presently existing bathrooms without material change or modification in the pipes or plumbing, and without damage to the tile.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a combination shower of this character which will be useful to and appeal to individuals of both sexes, and all ages and classes.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a spout of this nature which may be readily and inexpensively substituted for the conventional tub filling spout with a minimum of eifort and difliculty.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of a spout of this nature which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may be here pointed out that in the conventional tub shower combination means are provided for closing the spout, and when such means are in use, the water, when the faucets are turned on, is forced under pressure to the shower head. Various types of shower tub arrangements are presently in use including the conventional tWofaucet arrangement having a diverter from the spout for directing the water through the spout or to the shower, the diverter being alternatively placed in a remote location and controlled by a knob or key, a four-faucet arrangement including separate mixing faucets for the tub and the upper shower, and a single knob dial for temperature and flow control. Heretofore the limitation of such a combination to an overhead shower has been undesirable in certain circumstances, since children are sometimes afraid of the upper shower and elderly people must exercise great care in standing in a slippery tub. An object of the instant invention is the provision of a lower flexible shower which may be used to bathe children without startling or frightening them, or which may, alternatively, be used by an individual seated in the tube, with the controls readily accessible.

By virtue of the instant arrangement, shampooing in the tub with a flexible shower in accordance with this invention may be conveniently done, and similarly, a flexible spray device may be employed to cleanse the tub, if desired, with water at a temperature considerably in excess of that which may be used from the spout or the upper shower.

Likewise, dogs may, if desired, be bathed in the tub by the simple use of the readily available flexible shower.

3,l82,336 Patented May M, 1 365 The combination of the instant invention also lends itself to other purposes such as washing the feet or portions of the body when a full bath must be avoided because of illness or other reasons.

Additionally, the flexible shower is easy to manipulate and its control is conveniently located so as to be readily accessible when in use.

Still other objects of the invention reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown one form of apparatus embodying the instant inventive concept.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view partially broken away of a tub and shower employing in combination therewith the spout and spray attachment of the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side View partially in section and partial ly in elevation disclosing one form of spout and valve assembly particularly applicable to the instant invention.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the spout of FIGURE 2.

FIGURES 4A, 4B and 4C are horizontal sectional views taken substantially through the center line of the spout and its associ ted valve mechanism showing different positions of adjustment thereof.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, and more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is generally indicated at It) a conventional bathroom which includes a bath tub l1 and an overhead shower head 12. Suitable conventional control knobs i3, 14 and 15 controlling the admission of hot water, the admission of cold water and the drainage of the tub respectively are provided in conventional manner, and are illustrative only of several known types of shower and tub constructions. The spout comprising an important element of the instant invention is generally indicated at 16 and includes a primary outlet 17 through which the tub is filled, and a secondary outlet 18, which is preferably provided with an extending tubular stud or fitting 19 to which is attached a flexible tube 20 provided with a spray head 21. Behind the wall of the bathroom carrying the control knobs there is customarily provided an inlet pipe 22 which leads from the faucet controls to a T-fitting 23 from which an upwardly extending pipe 24 leads to the shower head 12.

The stem 25 of the "F-fitting is threaded as at 26 and is adapted for connection to the main water inlet passage 27 of the spout 15.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, the spout 16 is provided at an intermediate point with a spherical chamber 28 from which an extension of main passage 27, indicated at 29, leads to primary outlet 17. Secondary outlet 18 extends through the side wall of the spout at substantially right angled relation to main passage 27 and its continuation 29.

A ball valve 36 is rotatably mounted in chamber 28 in normal water-tight sealing relation thereto providing a metal-to-metal valve sealing assembly. Ball valve 30 contains a first arcuate passage 31 which, with the valve in the position shown in FIGURE 4B, permits the flow of water from passage 27 to its continuation 29 and thence into the tub through outlet 17. A second arcuate passage 32 extends at a relatively sharp angle interiorly of arcuate passage 31, and when in the position shown in FIGURE 4A, communicates main passage 27 with secondary outlet 18. With the parts in the position shown in FIGURE 4C, main passage 27 is in communication with passage 31, but the latter is sealed by the side of the chamber so that the spout is completely closed, and when the faucets are turned on the flow of water is through the pipe 24 to the shower head 12.

Ball valve 30 is secured through stem 33 which extends through a sealing bushing 34- and suitable opening in the top of the spout and which carries at its upper end a rotatable disc 35 which is provided with an indicating pointer 35. A fixed disc 37 is supported by a base 38 secured to the top of the spout through which the stem 33 extends, and includes a recessed or cutaway portion 39 adjacent pointer 36, which, as best shown in FIGURE 3, bears suitable indicia indicating the position of the ball valve 30.

When not in use the tube 2%) may be supported by a suitable hook 40, which is affixed to an adjacent wall in any convenient manner, as, for example, by means of a suction cup 41.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the device should now be readily apparent. When the faucets 13 and 14 are closed, main water supply pipe 22 is similarly closed, but adjustment of the faucets in the conventional manner will permit the flow of water at a proper temperature to the T-fitting 23. With valve 30 in the position shown in FIGURE'4C, for example, both openings of spout 16 are closed and water will flow through the line 245 to the overhead shower 12. When it is desired to fill the tub, disc 35 is rotated until the pointer 36 is in the position of FIGURE 3 and the valve 30 is in the position of FIGURE 4B, whereupon water fiows from main passage 27 through passage 31 to continuation passage 2% and thence through outlet 17. When it is desired to use the auxiliary spray, pointer 36 is turned to Spray, which places the valve in the position of FIGURE 4A, at which time water flows from main passage 27 through arcuate passage 32, outlet 18, flexible tube 20 and spray head 21, which may then be employed in any desired manner for any of the purposes previously described, as well as many others.

Obviously the particular construction of the valve, so long as it is Wholly contained within the spout and the control is mounted on the spout, may be varied as desired within the scope of the instant inventive concept.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved combination shower, tub and spray, together with a control means therefor, which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive filling the bath tub having a main passage connecting with said common water supply, said spout having a primary outlet and a secondary outlet, a single control means contained in said spout for selectively directing water from said common water supply to said overhead shower, said primary outlet'or said secondary outlet, a flexible tube connected at one end to said secondary outlet, and a spray head connected to the'other end of said tube, said means for selectively directing water including a valve positioned in a valvechamber in said spout and a control handle on said spout operable to move said ball valve to a position to direct water from said supply to said passage outlet, said secondary outlet, or to close said spout whereupon water will be directed to said overhead shower.

2. The combination with a bath tub and an overhead shower including a common water supply, ofa spout for filling the bath tub having a main passage connecting with said common water supply, said spout having a primary outlet and a secondary outlet, a single control means conconcept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it isto be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. The combination with a bath tub and an overhead shower including a common water supply, of a spout for tained in said spout for selectively directing water from said common water supply. to said overhead shower, said primary outlet or said secondary outlet, a flexible tube connected at one end to said secondary outlet, and a spray head connected to the other end of said tube, said means for selectively directing water including a valve positioned in a valve chamber in said spout and a control handle on said spout operable to move said valve to a position to direct water from said supply to said passage outlet, said secondary outlet, or to close said spout whereupon water will be directed to said overhead shower, said control handie comprising a first means having an'indicator thereon fixed to said valve, and a second means bearing position indicia underlying said first means and fixed .to said spout.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said second meansincludes a cutaway portion extending over approximately half its area and bearing said indicia thereon, the remaining portion serving as a support for said first means.

4. The structure of clai1n-2 wherein said primary and secondary outlets are located in substantially right angled relation and said valve includes a first passage connecting said main passage with said primary outlet, a second passage connecting said main passage with said secondary outlet, and a solid surface for closing said main passage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 769,429 9/04 Caldwell 4-148 1,685,330 9/28 Maroney l37--625.47 2,846,691 8/58 Zettinig- 4148 2,997,722 8/61 Pearson 4-491 LEWIS J. LENNY, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,182,336 May 11, 1965 Juliette E. Greurer It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4 line 11, strike out "ball".

Signed and sealed this 17th day of May 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. THE COMBINATON WITH A BATH TUB AND AN OVERHEAD SHOWER INCLUDING A COMMON WATER SUPPLY, OF A SPOUT FOR FILLING THE BATH TUB HAVING A MAIN PASSAGE CONNECTING WITH SAID COMMON WATER SUPPLY, SAID SPOUT HAVING A PRIMARY OUTLET AND A SECONDARY OUTLET, A SINGLE CONTROL MEANS CONTAINED IN SAID SPOUT FOR SELECTIVELY DIRECTING WATER FROM SAID COMMON WATER SUPPLY TO SAID OVERHEAD SHOWER, SAID PRIMARY OUTLET OR SAID SECONDARY OUTLET, A FLEXIBLE TUBE CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID SECONDARY OUTLET, AND A SPRAY HEAD CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID TUBE, SAID MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY DIRECTING WATER INCLUDING A VALVE POSITIONED IN A VALVE CHAMBER IN SAID SPOUT AND A CONTROL HANDLE ON SAID SPOUT OPERABLE TO MOVE SAID BALL VALVE TO A POSITON TO DIRECT WATER FROM SAID SUPPLY TO SAID PASSAGE OUTLET, SAID SECONDARY OUTLET, OR TO CLOSE SAID SPOUT WHEREUPON WATER WILL BE DIRECED TO SAID OVERHEAD SHOWER. 